The biggest difference between the Superbowl champs and the youngest team in the NFL was experience. Not talent. The upstart put the champ on his heels early, but he clinched and survived. He waited for the upstart to make mistakes. And he did.
This is why boxing managers don't put talented rookies in with contenders out of the gate. Too bad there aren't any tomato cans in the NFL.
It really hurt the Browns a lot to lose both Jackson and Patterson, too.
Anyway, what I saw was Weeden connecting with Gordon for huge plays, and with Norwood for nine completions. Shurmer/Childress now have some elbow room if Braylon Little keeps dropping a third of his passes (like the one that went right through his hands. I'm starting to wonder if he doesn't have a neurological or vision issue).
The blocking on Richardson's 15-yard TD was textbook. That's exactly how it's supposed to work. Richardson was never touched. Any back on the roster could have scored.
Weeden's picks were inexcusable, as he admitted. But comparisons of him to D. Anderson are laughable. DA had a history of interceptions in college, whereas Weeden was fairly efficient. DA was a veteran backup before he ever got to Cleveland. Weeden is still an unschooled rookie. DA had trouble with accuracy and touch on short passes. Weeden is a complete passer.
They have a real shot against the Bengals. Jackson has returned, and so has Haden. Too bad Patterson won't. But at least with Haden on Green, the safeties will have more flexibility in coverage, so they might be able to reduce the damage the other recievers do, and slow down the run a little more.
The Bengals defense isn't as strong as other defenses they've faced, and the offense should be able to move the ball. I think of Schwartze now with some games under his belt, fresh off neutralizing two awesome passrushers, Gordon already looking like the scary guy I thought it would take another offseason to see, Cameron emerging, and what Weeden did to them last time.
Updated W/L prediction: 11-5.
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